Two days after Diwali festivities, a thick smog covered Delhi yesterday leading to poor visibility across the city, reported the Times of India, 2nd November, 2016.

According to the report, the formation of smog can be attributed to the fireworks during the Diwali festivities. Pollution peaks in the national capital during Diwali as a hazardous mix of noxious gases and respirable pollutants hang very close to the surface due to low temperature and near-stagnant wind movement. Smoke emanating from farm fires raging across agricultural fields of neighboring Punjab and Haryana only worsens the situation.

Agencies like SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) and CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) have advised people not to go outdoors when air quality turns 'severe' as it has adverse effect especially on children, elders and those having heart or lung diseases.

Fog vs Smog

Whenever the humidity is high, air movement is less and temperature is low, fog is the automatic result. It occurs when water droplets are suspended in the air.

The days after Diwali have been filled with thick smog blanketing the city. Delhi has recorded its worst ever pollution record with harmful gaseous cocktail reaching upto 42 times the safe limit.

This warrants urgent attention and the concerned authorities need to take prompt measures, otherwise the health of 10 million city residents hangs in balance.

New Delhi, 02nd Nov, 2016: Air pollution in the capital increased to dangerously high levels post-Diwali. Pollution in the national capital reached extremely unhealthy levels as a dangerous cocktail of noxious gases and respirable pollutants were coupled to low temperature and negligible wind movement, which caused the pollutants to remain close to the surface and be easily breathable.